India has amended its IT rules to require social media platforms to remove deepfakes within three hours of being flagged by a court or government agency. This mandate drastically shortens the previous 36-hour compliance window. The new regulations are set to take effect on February 20, 2026.
The updated rules require platforms like Meta’s Facebook and Instagram and Google’s YouTube to prominently label all AI-generated content. This requirement places significant new operational pressure on social media companies operating in the country.
Companies must also deploy automated tools to prevent the creation and spread of illegal synthetic content. These tools are required to filter deceptive material, non-consensual imagery, and child abuse material.